SHANNON, Colin McTaggart
Service Number: | 415055 |
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Enlisted: | 23 June 1941 |
Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
Last Unit: | No. 76 Squadron (RAF) |
Born: | Narrogin, Western Australia, 13 April 1918 |
Home Town: | Narrogin, Narrogin, Western Australia |
Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
Occupation: | Farmer & Clerk (1 year) |
Died: | Flying crash, after air attack, Aubengues, Wimeraux, France, 10 August 1943, aged 25 years |
Cemetery: |
Boulogne Eastern Cemetery Plot X; Row A; Grave 4-9 (collective), |
Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial, Narrogin War Memorial, Nomans Lake Memorial Board, Wickepin District Roll of Honour WWII, Wickepin Fallen Soldiers Memorial |
World War 2 Service
3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flight Lieutenant, 415055 | |
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23 Jun 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 415055 |
World War 1 Service
23 Jun 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, 415055 |
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World War 2 Service
16 Jun 1942: | Embarked Royal Australian Air Force, 415055 | |
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1 Jul 1943: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, No. 76 Squadron (RAF) | |
17 Aug 1943: | Honoured Distinguished Flying Cross | |
Date unknown: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 415055 |
Help us honour Colin McTaggart Shannon's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Julianne Ryan
Born 13 April 1918, Narrogin, Western Australia
Father Pultney Malcolm Shannon and Mother Eva Johnson Shannon,
living at Nomans Lake, Narrogin, Western Australia
Described on enlisting as 22 yrs 7mths old; single;
Presbyterian
23/6/1941 enlisted in Royal Australian Air Force at Perth, WA
6/3/1942 awarded "Flying Badge"
13/4/1942 promoted to Pilot Officer
30/4/1942 appointed Pilot Officer in RAAF
16/6/1942 embarked from Australia
with 3 PRC
24/8/1942 disembarked into England
11/9/1942 15 (P) Autralian Flying Unit
30/10/1942 appointed Temporary Flying Officer
10/11/1942 24 OTU
27/4/1943 1663 C U
4/6/1943 posted to 76th Squadron
1/7/1943 promoted to Flight Lieutenant in 76 Squadron
17/8/1943 London Gazette - awarded "Distinguished Flying Cross"
- for night attack on Essen in July 1943
10/8/1943 killed in flying crash -
on returning from air battle at Aubengues, Wimeraux, France
Squadron Leader, for King Commander, Commander No.76 Squadron RAF Station, Yorks stated:
"Flight Lieutenant Colin McTaggart Shannon was beyond doubt, one of the best of the
Pilots we have on the Squadron. His courage and efficiency were unquestionable, and
he had only very recently received the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying
Cross (DFC) He was a gallant member of a very gallant crew. I know that if it were
within human power he and the whole crew were able to deal with the emergency,
whatever it was. He will be sadly missed in the Mess and on the Squadron."
23/4/1947 RAAF stated in writing to mother:
A report received from the 'Missing Research and Enquiry United,
operating in France, and based on investigations made at the scene
of the crash and interviews with local inhabitants states:
"Flight Lieutenant Colin McTaggart Shannon's aircraft (Halifax LK892) crashed,
after being hit by German anti-aircraft fire, at Aubegues, which is 5 miles due north
of Boulonge, France, at approximately 3.50am, on 10th August 1943.
The aircraft was returning from an attack on a target at Mannheim.
The nature of the crash was such, that identification of only one member
of the crew, Sergeant Dobson, of the Royal Air Force, could be established.
(the plane on crashing, burned furiously for some hours. All crew were
burned with the exception of one airman, whose skull was fractured and he
died on the spot - 119601 Sgt J Dodson - the rear gunner).
The crew are buried communally in Graves 360 to 363 of the Boulogne
Cemetery. A temporary cross bearing the names and service particulars
of Flight Lieutenant Colin McTaggart Shannon and his comrades have been
erected over the graves. At a later date this cross will be replaced by a
permanent headstone."
These Members were buried on 12/8/1943 in the communal grave:-
415055 Flight Lieutenant Colin McTaggart Shannon (Pilot)
655439 Sergeant T Buchan (A/B)
113498 Flight Officer G A Turner (Navigator)
132386 Flight Officer W C Ellis (Wireless Operator)
928040 Sergeant J Smith (M.U.G.)
1436208 Sergeant F Walton (Flight Engineer)
1129601 Sergeant J Dodson (Rear Gunner)
21/5/1952 Imperial War Grave Commission stated:-
"The Head office of the Commission in London informed that owing
to the fact that it was not possible to secure rights of perpetuity for
the grave of Collin's grave in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery,
Plot 37; Row 4; Grave 360-363, also those of Royal Air Force members
as sited.
These graves have been transferred to another site in this cemetery,
generously placed at the disposal of the commission by the French
Authorities, where perpetual maintenance is assured."
new burial: Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne, Nord Pas de Calais, France
Plot X; Row A; Grave 4-9 (collective)
His name is located at Panel 130 at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT.
Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan. 18/6/2016. Lest we forget.